A Bouquet of Bennets, Jane's Story: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variation by Lynn Victoria

Author:Lynn, Victoria
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jane Collins-Bennet checked a column of figures again, then sighed and swiveled in her chair, looking out the window, seeing nothing. She simply could not concentrate on numbers today; at the same time nothing else caught her interest either. A muted commotion in the hallway indicated someone had arrived, and while she would not find a distraction disagreeable, she was uncertain if she could muster enough courtesy to pretend to be interested in whomever it was who was visiting.

She rose and pasted on a practiced smile which suddenly shifted into a genuine smile of pure delight as the door was thrown open and Walter strode in.

She hurled herself into his embrace, chanting his name over and over until he stilled her voice with a deeply passionate kiss. “Dearest love, I have missed you so,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. Now it would not matter that she could not concentrate on her tasks, as her time and attention were completely captured by her loving husband.

Later that day, the reunited couple enjoyed a quiet dinner, then retired to the mistress’ sitting room for a final cup of tea and some conversation.

“Did all go as planned in London?” enquired Jane.

Walter nodded his head but, oddly enough, also frowned as he looked closely at his wife. “For the most part, yes. Everything we needed to get accomplished was done, but there is something I need to tell you. The news is not good, though perhaps it is not so very surprising. Your father has requested a meeting with mine. I do not know what he wants, but I am very much afraid that he is in debt again.”

Jane closed her eyes, willing her disappointment and frustration to the back of her mind as she thought through the news. “I do not know why I am surprised,” she said sadly. “But somehow, I am. Perhaps it is something else entirely?” she questioned hopefully.

“Perhaps,” agreed Walter, unwilling to disappoint her but not believing it.

“I do not really believe it either,” she conceded, echoing his thoughts. “But I will hope. Meanwhile, there is not much here that has changed. Netherfield has been let at last. They are not a very good match for the neighborhood, I am afraid, except for their guest, one Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire. The Bingleys and the Hursts are rather more suited for the ton than a country estate.”

“How so?”

Jane made an impatient movement with her hands. “They are the wealthy children of a tradesman, who left them well set financially, but they have no concept of country living. I realize they were not brought up on an estate, but would you not assume they would at least try to adjust? That they would at least ask us about the responsibilities involved? But they have made no effort to do so, they do not visit the tenants, they are not involved in any of the normal duties of the mistress and master of a country home, and they treat the estate as if it is a home in the city, not a working estate.

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